Thread: Actual and formal parameters

Hey mate, i am a first year programmer. But i think i can help you a bit.

this is your code

public class Scope 
{
 
	public static void test(int num) 
	{
		if(num > 10) 
		{
			int half = num / 2;
			System.out.println("Half num = " + half);
		} 
		else 
		{
			System.out.println(num);
		}
	}
 
	public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		int num = 5;
		test(num);
	}
}

Now Line one (public class Scope) is simply the name of your class.

Now, this is your method, you have named it test.

public static void test(int num) 
	{
		if(num > 10) 
		{
			int half = num / 2;
			System.out.println("Half num = " + half);
		} 
		else 
		{
			System.out.println(num);
		}
	}

The first line of your "test" method (public static void test(int num)) you have told it that an int has to be used for this method.
I am assuming you understand what the if and else statement does, but if not your simply saying, if the number is greater than ten, a new variable called half has to be created. Half must be an int(int half), and half is = to the number entered/2. The System.out.println("Half num = " + half); is telling it what to output.
the else, means that if the number is not greater than ten, output will be whatever number they have entered.

public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		int x = 5;
		test(x);
	}
}

This is where you are testing your method. You are creating an int called x to be passed into( public static void test(int num) ). And you are calling the method here -> test(x);. Because you called you method "test" and in the body of the code you have correctly called it.

I hope this has helped you in some way. Its the best explanation i could come u with. Just to let you know, if int x = 13; or any odd number it will return half of the number below x. As in int x =13; output would be 12.

If you changed all of your int's to double, it would output decimals.

thank you both very much, that cleared it up beautifully. Now having finished that question i'm onto the next one which actually involves creating a program, so you can probably imagine how lost i am with that given my above question. I dont want to come across as though im trying to use this as a homework service because im not, i do actually want to learn because il need this stuff in the years to come, but considering the following text:

Design a program that will manage the paper consumed by the University
reprographics department. The program should allow the reprographics manager to
input the current paper stock level and a paper re-order level, followed by a number
of paper transactions.

Each transaction consists of a transaction code (char) and a
transaction amount (int). The transaction code can be ‘A’ to add paper to stock or ‘R’
to remove paper from stock.

The only other valid option is ‘Q’ to quit the program.
Before removing any paper from stock the program should check that there is
sufficient stock and if not the program should simply print “** Insufficient Stock **”
and NOT modify the stock level.

After each transaction the program should print the stock level, followed by “** Reorder
**” IF the stock level is below the re-order level. When there are no more
transactions a ‘Q’ can be entered for the transaction code to signify the end of the
data.

Using test data of initial stock 2000, re-order level 500 followed by remove 600,
remove 1000, remove 500 and finally add 500, the interaction SHOULD look like this
Welcome to the Paper Stock Manager
Enter initial stock level: 2000
Enter re-order level: 500
Enter option (A, R, Q): R
Enter amount of paper to remove: 600
Stock level: 1400
Enter option (A, R, Q): R
Enter amount of paper to remove: 1000
Stock level: 400 ** re-order **
Enter option (A, R, Q): R
Enter amount of paper to remove: 500
** Insufficient stock **
Stock level: 400 ** re-order **
Enter option (A, R, Q): A
Enter amount of paper to add: 500
Stock level: 900
Enter option: A, R, Q: Q
Thank you for using the Paper Stock Manager
Marking scheme
i) Detailed algorithm using pseudo code introduced during module (7)
ii) Working Java implementation (15) demonstrating use of proper programming
constructs and elegance/simplicity of design (5)
iii) Proper program layout /style and use of comments (4)
iv) Printout screen shot of sample interaction using exact test data outlined above (4)

as you can see i need to construct an algorithm, and im even stuck at that, i just cant get my head around the idea despite the good two hours i spent yesterday with my pen and relatively blank paper if someone could even point me in the right direction as regards to a simple algorithm i could use for this i might be able to make a start on coding it myself,

thanks very much

edit: i just cant decide whether i need to set each thing to the numbers specified or whether to leave them to be entered by the user, and if its the latter i honestly dont even know where to start. my notes only cover the very basics of making an algorithm